Across the Net: Issue 15
A shortened version of our weekly newsletter: a round-up of the best women's sports coverage from across the internet. To get Across The Net every week, complete with fun GIFs and bonus chat, straight into your inbox, sign up at the bottom of the page.
Tennis
Azarenka Awarded Australia Open Wildcard
Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Australia Open champ, has been awarded a wildcard to the first Grand Slam of 2018.
Having taken some time out to give birth to son Leo, Azarenka returned at this years Wimbledon reaching the fourth round but has been unable to compete since due to an ongoing family matter. She never fails to bring her personality onto the court so we're hoping she'll be back in full swing in the new year.
Read more here
Freestyle Skiing
The Sisters Targeting Pyeongchang Slopestyle Glory
This interview with Katie and Molly Summerhayes, who are both hoping to compete at the Winter Olympics early next year, is a short but fascinating insight into a family caught on different sides of the UK funding divide. Whilst older sister Katie is a full-time athlete, Molly [pictured] works a full time job at McDonalds and relies on her parents to make up the cost of competing.
Read the interview here
Para Athletics
Hannah Cockroft Takes Sportswoman of the Year
Cockroft, who at 25 years old holds the Paralympic and world records for the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres in her classification [T34], added sportswoman of the year to her credentials last week at the SJA British Sports Awards. The award, which is voted for by more than 700 of the country’s leading sports writers, editors, photographers and broadcasters, is the oldest of its kind in the country. Congrats, Hannah, you absolute idol!
Read more here
Boxing
The Women Boxers of Gleason's Gym
New York's Gleason's Gym has been running for 80 years making it the oldest working gym in the US. Not only that, it's been the training ground for many world famous male boxers, including Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Gleason’s are currently training six world champions and for the first time in the gym’s history they are ALL WOMEN. This photo essay is well worth a scroll as well as a read, as the women share some choice takeaways like this from boxer Carolyn DiCarlo: "In life, much like in the ring, it’s all about showing up, and as my coach Darryl always says: ‘It’s not always about hitting, it’s about not getting hit.' I apply that to my life every day.” Word.
See more here
Img: World super-featherweight champ Ronica Jeffrey training at Gleason's
Football
Nicola Hobbs on Fighting Fires and Saving Goals
London Bees goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs was playing football before she was ten years old, and was picked up by Norwich City's centre of excellence by the time she was 12. More recently Hobbs was nominated for this year’s most influential woman in fire award, because she's also a pretty excellent firefighter. In this interview Hobbs shares what it's been like to juggle both her passion and career.
Read more here
WHAT'S ON? : DECEMBER
15th | BASKETBALL
WBBL Northumbria Vs. Caledonia
Watch live on BBC Sport
16th | BASKETBALL
WBBL Cup Semi-Final
Watch live in Nottingham
16th – 17th
FOOTBALL: WSL Continental Cup
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